The Bajaur offensive began in mid-2008, and drove over two-thirds of the agency’s population from their homes into refugee camps on the outskirts of nearby Peshawar. The agency is on the outskirts of the Swat Valley, which this year became the sight of a much larger offensive that drove millions from their homes.

The claim of victory in Bajaur was difficult to defend even at the time. The Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of the area declared a unilateral ceasefire at the behest of the tribesmen in the area, the military shelled a few hideouts and declared the battle over. The TTP had declared ceasefires previously, but ongoing military operations eventually led them to abandon those as well.